Pedal structure for electronic piano



Oct. 3,1961 C, wl ANDERSEN 3,002,412

PEDAL STRUCTURE FOR ELECTRONIC PIANO Filed Nov. 27, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 3, 1961 c. w. AN DERSEN 3,002,412

PEDAL STRUCTURE FOR ELECTRONIC PIANO Filed NOV. 27, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 mn "71. I I

/llI/Il/ INVENTOR.

Oct. 3, 1961 c. w. ANDERSEN 3,002,412

PEDAL STRUCTURE FOR ELECTRONIC PIANO Filed Nov. 27, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 l 153@ m a, 'm' :v m

l .5135 11; T INVENTOR` .216 j; 543 Jfwdwm c. w. ANDERsEN PEDAL. STRUCTURE FOR ELECTRONIC PIANO Oct. 3, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed NOV. 27, 1956 22mm a 47T .ffl rl/ INVENTOR. f @#27245 Mle/@Mara United States Patent() 3,002,412 PEDAL STRUCTURE FOR ELECTRONIC PIANO Clifford W. Andersen, DeKalb, Ill., assignor to The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, Chicago, Ill., a corpora tion of Ohio Filed Nov. 27, 1956, Ser. No. 624,583

' 16 Claims. (Cl. 84-1.13)

This invention is concerned generally with the electronic musical art, particularly with y, an electronic piano, and more specifically with a pedal structure forming a part thereof.

The pianoforte, commonly known as the piano, as is generally known, is a very popular musical instrument, and is known substantially throughout the world. One disadvantage of the conventional piano is hthat it is heavy and bulky. It also is rather expensive. The rather substantial size and weight of a conventional piano make transportation thereof diicult, and completely preclude carrying the instrument about fromgone place to another. Furthermore, the size and weight of a piano generally limit its use to the first floor of a building, and usually to the parlor of a residence. This is undesirable both from the standpoint of the student, and from the standpoint of others in the home. A

Accordingly, it has been proposed that the size and weight, and also the cost, of a piano be reduced by the provision of an electronic piano. It is known that a tuned reedI having an electrical potential applied to the reed and vibrated near a conductor will form with that member a variable capacitance giving rise to an electrical oscillation which can be translated into a musical tone. This invention is concerned with such a piano.

It -will be appreciated that a piano must have a foot pedal for playing loud or forte However, the provi* sion of such a pedal in a portable instrument causes many difficulties, both in the configuration of the pedal itself, and in its attachment to the piano cas/e. Any appendage, such as a loud pedal inhibits portability of the instrument.

This invention is concerned with the provision of an improved pedal structure for a portable electronic piano.

It is a further object of this invention to provide, in a portable electronic piano, a detachable pedal structure which is easily transported, and which is readily attached to the piano for use. n

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a detachable pedalfor a portable piano which is readily detached from or attached to a piano, and which has easily operable means for adjusting the pedal relative to the remainder of the piano mechanism.

l Other and further objects,` and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with theY accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. l is a perspective view of an electronic piano, f

along the line -5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially alongthe line `6 6 in FIG. 4;

f. ICC

and a different mechanism for attaching the pedal structure to th piano;

FIG. l0 is a horizontal sectional view taken substan-y tially along they line 10-10 in FIG. 9; f

FIG. 1l is a vertical sectional view through the foot pedal, similar to FIG. 8, and showing a modification thereof;

FIG. l2 is another vertical section through a foot pedal, this being a preferred form, as taken substantially along the line 12-12 in FIG. 13;

FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 13-13 in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a perspective View ofthe cover or housing for the pedal structure of FIGS. 12 and 13 FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the supporting bracket forming a part of the foot pedal. structure of FIGS. 12 and 13; and

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the parts for attaching the foot pedal to the supporting bracket.

Referring now in greater particularity to the drawings, andtirst to FIGS. 1 3, there will be seen an electronic piano 30 constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention. The piano includes a case generally designated by the numeral 32. At the front of the piano there is provided a keyboard 34 comprising a plurality of keys 36 corresponding to the keys of a conventional piano, some of these keys being white, and some being black. The case also includes a fall board assembly 38 and a wire music rack 40 pivotally mounted thereon and movable from the upright position shown in FIGS. l and 2t a folded down position (not shown). c The piano case is mounted on four legs 42 detachably connected to the piano by means hereinafter to be set forth. A foot pedal 44 `for releasing the dampers is detachably connected to the piano by means of a flexible cable 46 of thek type known as a `Bowden cable. The piano is yprovided with an electronic amplilier shown in outline at 47 in FIG. 3 mounted withinr the case at the left end thereof and on the bottom of the vcase near the rear corner. The amplifier is connected to a loudspeaker 48 whichfopens through suitable louvers (not shown) in the back of the case. Controls and jacks 50 for the amplifier are provided at the side of the case.

A wooden bed 52 is mounted on the bottom of the case on the inside thereof, and a balance rail 54 extends across thisrbed. The keys 36 of thekeyboard 34 are pivotally mounted on the balance rail by means of the usual balance key pins 56, and felt pads or washer-S58 surrounding the pins. The top surface of the balance rail is inclined as will be appreciated so as to support the keys in the inclined position shown in the drawings with the inner ends of the keys36 resting ona felt pad 60 at the inner edge of the bed. At the outer or front end of the bed 52 there is provided a front rail 62 carrying a plurality of pairs of front key pins164.` A felt pad 66 is provided on the'front rail at the outer edge thereof immediately beneath the outer ends of the keys 36. This pad 66 forms a positive limit for downward movement of the outer ends` of the keysV and thereby prevents the keys from pivoting about the felt washers usually provided about the outermost of the front key ppins. Such undesirable pivoting would result in rising ofthe keys from the balancek rail, and it will be appreciated that this is extremelyundesirable.

A pair of wood blocks 68 is mounted on the oppo site ends of the piano case 32 on the inside thereof. These blocks are screwed and glued in place. A reed bar assembly 7d is mounted on these blocks. The reed bar assembly is disclosed in detail in my Patent 2,881,651 dated April 14, 1959, and includes a reed bar 72 of massive construction, preferably cast of grey iron. The reed bar is generally rectangular in configuration and supports a plurality of vibratile reeds 74 and associated pickup means capacitively related to the reeds. The reeds are electrically connected to the bar, white the pickup means 76 are insulated therefrom by au insulatN ing sheet or bar 7S. An aluminum shield Sh is placed over the pickup means and the outer ends of the reeds to eliminate hum in the output of the piano, the shield being lined with felt as at S1 and having a rubber pad ,82 placed between the shield and the front edge of the reed bar to prevent vibration of the aluminum shield.

The reed bar is mounted by means of wood screws 84 passed through suitable apertures in the bar. rhese wood screws also are passed through rubber washers 86 on top of iiber washers 8S and are screwed into the wood blocks 68, the wood blocks being pre-drilled for this purpose. At the bass end of the bar there are two wood screws 84, while at the treble end there is only one wood screw, Since the treble end is somewhat narrower than the bass end of the bar.

A main rail @d extends across the piano, being supported at its opposite ends by suitable blocks 91 which are screwed and glued to the inside of the piano case. A plurality of whip flanges 92 is-spaced along the lbottom rear corner of the main rail, and a Whip 94 is pivotally carried by each of the whip flanges 92. Each whip is provided beneath its forward end with a felt pad 96, and -a capstan screw 9S on the inner end of the corresponding key 3d engages beneath each fett pad 96. The capstan screws preferably are provided with square or other noncircular shank sections for receiving a wrench for adjusting the capstan screws up and down beneath the ends of the whips.

A jack or y d) is pivotally mounted on each whip adjacent the felt pad 96 and projecting upwardly therefrom. Each jack or fly 16d engages beneath a butt 102 of a corresponding hammer 1114 having a felt pad or striker 19d on the end thereof. A plurality of butt flanges 1113 is spaced along the main rail 9d, and these butt flanges pivotally support the butts 1h23. Each butt is provided with a recessed portion 11d, with a jack engaging screw 112 for adjustably determining the time at which the jack or fly ceases to lift the butt and hammer, and with an adjusting screw 113 for determining the rest position of the butt. A butt spring 114 holds each hammer in lowered position as will be appreciated.

The hammers 1131i are positioned to engage beneath the reeds '.74 as readily will be understood. A damper lever 116 is positioned above each of the reeds except the top few at the treble end, and a damper 11d in the form of a felt pad is placed on each damper lever and engages a corresponding reed to damp the same. Each damper lever 115 is pivotally mounted on a damper lever flange 12d, there being a plurality of such flanges positioned along the top rear edge of the main rail 9d. A. spring 122 associated with each damper lever holds the dampers in damping position. A damper lever wire 124 has its tail pivotally hooked through the inner end of each whip as at 126, land has its corresponding upper end projecting through the lrear or inner end of the corresponding damping lever 11d. A damper regulator button 127 is threaded on the upper end of each damper wire for adjusting the damper action.

It will be appreciated that each time a key is depressed the corresponding capstan screw 98 pivots the associated whip in counter clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2. This causes the jack or tly 1nd to push up beneath the butt 102,. thereby to pivot the corresponding hammer ldd into percussive engagement with the corresponding reed 74 to vibrate the same. The last part of this motion is due to the inertia of the butt and 'hammer inasmuch as the screw 112 pushes Athe 'jack or tly 1% from jacking position at a predetermined location. Pivoting of the whip also pulls down on the corresponding damper wire 12d and accordingly pivots the corresponding damper lever 11d to retract the damper 113 from the reed that is to be engaged by the hammer, thereby freeing this reed for vibration and tone generation. Some of the treble reeds have such extremely short vibration times that no dampers are necessary. Accordingly, as `has been noted heretofore, the dampers are omitted for some of the treble reeds. However, dummy damper levers are provided which are terminated short of the reed bar 72 so that the feel ofthe keys will be uniform. A block 128 is mounted at each end of the main rail and `pivotally supports a damper release rod 13@ for eccentric rotation about mounting pins or rods 132. The Bowden wire 46 connected to the foot pedal d4 is connected by means hereinafter to be described to the pin 132 at the treble end of the piano for eccentrically rotating the rod to lift this rod against a pad 134 on the underside of each of the damper levers simultaneously to retract all of the dampers. Further details on the foregoing damper mechanism are fully set forth in my Patent 2,888,851 issued June 2, 1959. The main rail also is provided with a T-shaped aluminum rail stidener 136 which is suitably screwed to the back of the main rail and extends therealong.

The case 32 includes ends 13S and a back 14d made of a single sheet of plywood molded generally in accordance with conventional practices. The plywood sheet comprising the ends and back rests on top of a bottom 142, also formed of plywood, and of the same outline as the back and ends. The back and ends are glued to the bottom 142, and preferably also are secured with small nails or screws. The forward corners of the ends 138 are cut down or relieved as is indicated at 14d to provide end clearance for the key-board, thus avoiding any feeling on the part of the pianist of being confined or boxed in.

The blocks 65S are secured to the opposite end-pieces 13d, as previously has been indicated, and also rest on the bottom 142, preferably being glued and screwed both to the ends and. to the bottom. Besides providing a mount for the ree-d bar assembly, these blocks also help to reinforce the joint lof the case as will be appreciated. Similarly, the blocks 91 are glued and screwed to the end of the case. The upper corners of the blocks 91 are relieved to accommodate the main rail 90, as will be appreciated. 1n addition to the foregoing, there are blocks 152 secured to the ends near the fronts thereof. These blocks serve `as ller blocks at the opposite ends of the keyboard, and also support the fall board assembly 38 at the corners thereof. A pair of cleats 154 is securedto the ends138 adjacent the top edges thereof, and a similar cleat 156 coplanar with the cleats 154 is securedto the inner surface of the back. The cleats serve to support the top 158 with the top nesting within the ends 138 and back 140.

The back is provided with horizontal slots (not shown) forming a louver for the loud-speaker 48, as will be appreciated, and on the outside of the back 141) there is secured a plurality of wooden cleats 159 which serve as a rest for the piano when it is carried in suitcase fashion, and it is desired to set the case down.

Details of one form of forte pedal mechanism 44 and the connection thereof to the piano are shown in FIGS. 4 8. Thus, there is provided a housing or case 150` of generally rectangular configuration and having a mounting surface or wall 162. The sheath of the Bowden cable 4d passes into the housing 1611, preferably through a rubber grommet 164, and the inner end of the sheath is anchored against a block 166 by a clamp 168 held by screws 170 threaded into the block. A stud having a lrnurled knob 172 extends through a horizontal slot 174 in the side of the housing 160, and adjustably clampsthe f-t block 166 in place, adjustably to locate the end of the sheats of the Bowden cable 46.

A pair of threaded studs 176 passes completely through the housing 160 and is held against complete retraction therefrom by self-locking nuts 178 threaded on the studs. The studs 176 are provided with knurled heads or knobs 180 to allow facile finger operation thereof, and the inner ends of the studs are detachably threaded into T- nuts 182 mounted on the inside of the end 138 of the piano case. The piano case has openings therethrough communicating with the T-nuts, as will be understood. The housing 160 thus is detachably held on the end of the piano case.

'The mounting Wall 162 of the housing 160 is provided with a bushing 184 adapted to project into an opening 186 in the end of the piano case in alignment with the pivot pins 132. The bushing 184 is secured in the Wall V162 by a press fit, or other suitable means. A sleeve 188 extends through the bushing and has a slotted inner end including a pair of diametrically opposed, longitudinally extending slots 190. The inner end of the sleeve 188 receives the adjacent pivot pin 132 with a cross pin 192 of the pivot pin received at its opposite ends in the slots 1,90 for rotating the pivot pin with the sleeve. A split ywasher 194 is received in an annular groove in the sleeve to prevent retraction of the sleeve from the bushing. The

outer end of the sleeve 188, which may be solid if so desired, extends through the end of a lever 196, and is peened over as at 197, although the lever can beV atlixed in a different manner if so desired. It will be understood that the outer end of the sleeve is provided with a noncircular section received in an aperture of corresponding shape in the lever 196 to insure turning of the sleeve with the lever. The opposite end of the lever 196 is provided with a right-singularly disposed ange 198 to which a locking plate 200 is secured by means such as a nut and bolt 202.. The end of the operating mem-ber of the Bowden cable projects through this locking plate and has a ball 204 clamped on the end thereof in the usual fashion to insure pivoting of `the lever in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4. A spring 206 is coiled about the end of the sleeve 188 adjacent the lever 196, and has one end bearing on the lever at 208, the opposite end engaging at 210 behind a lug or stop 212 struck out of the rear wall 162 o-fthe housing 160. An vadditional spring 214 is stretched between the lever and an anchor onrear wall 162, and the two springsg206 and 214 coact to hold the lever in a clockwise pivoted rest position as shown in FIG. 4. It will be appreciated that the provision of the two springs imparts a different type of resistance kto movement of the lever than would a single spring, thereby adding a piano-like feel to the forte pedal Abeneath the pianists foot. One embodiment ,of the pedal structure 44is shown in FIG. 8, This structure comprisesa base plate 216 havinga rubber .pad 218` on the underside thereof, the rubber padhaving a corrugated surface for` anchoring the pedal structure against skidding. A 'heel plate 220 is hingedly connected to the base plate 21S at 222, the latter preferably being a detachable hinge, and a rubberrpad 224 on the bottomlof ,the heel plate 220 forms a continuation of the pad 218. The heel plate is provided with a rubber pad cover 226, and a continuation of the cover is applied to the tcp of the base plate 218 as at 22S. It will be understood that all of the pads preferably are adhe# sively attached to the respective plates, and that the outer-surfaces of all of the pads are corrugated for skid `resistance. f

An inverted, generallyfcupshaped housing y230 is sevcured on top of the plate 218,=by suitable means such as lscrews 232 passing through the plate and threaded into the housing. 'The housing preferably is cast of relatively .soft metal'such as aluminum, or may be molded of plasztic, and the screws 232 may comprise wood screws or heet-metal screws threaded into drilled openingsin the 6 housing 230. A bracket 234 is secured against the rear wall of the housing by means such as screws 236, and a lever 238 is pivotally mounted on bracket 234, being urged upwardly by a helical spring 240. The lever 238 extends outwardly of the housing through a vertical slot 242 therein, and is provided with a toe portion 244 engagable by the pianists toe. Resilient stops 246, such as of foam rubber, are provided at the top and Ibottom of the slot 242 -to insure noiseless operation.

VAn inverted '1J-shaped bracket 248 is secured to the underside of the top of the housing by means such as screws 250. The bracket serves as an anchor for the spring 240, and it further cooperates with a clamp 252 to form an anchor for the end of the sheath of the Bowden cable 46. The lever 238 is apertured at 254 in alignment with the Bowden cable, and the operating member or wire thereof extends through the hole 254, and has a ball 255 clamped thereon whereby the operating member of the Bowden cable is secured by an anchor plate 258 secured -by means such as a screw 260 to the underside of the lever 238, the lever preferably being recessed as is indicated at 262. In the operation of the forte pedal 44, the pianists heel rests on thepad-226 of the heel plate 220' to lanchor the pedal structure. When the pianistfs toe depresses the toe portion 244 the operating member of the Bowden cable is pulled down. This causes the operating member to pivot the lever 196 in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4, and this in turn efects eccentric pivoting of the damper release rod 130. The damper release accordingly rises up beneath all of the damper levers, and thereby simultaneously retracts all of the dampers for undamped or forte playing. As will be appreciated, loosening of the stud having the knurled head 172 allows axial adjustment ofthe blockV 160, whereby adjustably to position the anchored position of the Bowden cable. This allows initial adjustment so that there will be no lost motion in the pedal mechanism, and so that the pedal mechanism will not, in rest position, tend to hold the dampers partially retracted.

A modified form of the invention is shown incooper-a.- tion with a slightly changed form of piano action in FIGS. 9 and l0. Most of the parts of the piano action are similar to the parts previously described with regard to FIGS. 2 and 3, and similar parts are identified by the use of similar numerals, with the addition of the suffix a. Most of the parts will be self-evident from the useof similar numerals, and significant ditferences are set forth hereinafter. One point of difference is that the y a ispivoted to the hammer or butt as at 262, and is raised directly by the capstan screw 98a on the key 36a. A butt spoon 264 depending from the butt 102a holds the y 100:1 in the position shown, with the parts at rest. However, when the key is pivoted and the ily and butt are raised, a butt regulating screw 266 threaded through an up-standing part 268 on the butt engages a felt pad on the upper end of the ily to pivot the ily, whereby the capstan screw 98a is positioned beneath a recess 269 in the y. The lifting action of the ily thus comes to an end, and the butt continues to rise under the influence of its own inertia until the pad 106a on the hammer head 104a n embodiment.

Intermediate the ends of the damper release rod a,

there is a lever 270 welded across the top of the damperY release rod and extending horizontallytoward the rear of the cabinet. A damper release connecting rod 272 is pivotally connected to the lever at 273, and extends vertically downwardly into an aperture 274 in the bottom 142e of the piano casey 32a, the connecting rod 272 being terminated substantially at the outerface of the bottom, and having its tip threaded as at 276. The conaccenna necting rod extends through a member 278 supported at its `opposite `ends by blocks 28d shortly above the bottom 142e. A coil spring 282 encircles the connecting rod 2.72 and is compressed between a spring seat tixed thereon, and a spring .seat on the member 278. A nut 286 is threaded on the upper end of the tip 276.

The bottom 14211 is provided with a T-nut 23d, which receives a thumb screw 290 passing through an angle bracket 292. The bracket has a long arm 294 in vertical position, and a generally U-shaped housing or cover 296, open Vat both ends, Vis secured to this arm. The arm is provided near its lower end with a vertical slot 2%, and a thumb screw 3d@ extends through this slot and is threaded into an anchor block 302. A clamp Stift secured on the anchor block by screws 366 anchors the upper end of the sheath of the Bowden cable dan. The position of the anchor block 3%2 is adiustable, as will be apparent, in order to determine the position of the end of the sheath. A cylinder 308 is swivelly connected to the upper end of the inner wire or operating member of the Bowden cable, and is provided with internal threads whereby to receive the threaded tip 276 of the connecting rod 272. As will be appreciated, the cylinder 368 abutts the nut 236 to limit the position of the cylinder .on the connecting rod.

It will he appreciated that the cylinder 368 is readily connected to, or disconnected from, the connecting rod 272 by simply rotating the cylinder. Similarly, the brack- `et 292 is readily associated with, or separated from, the case 32a by rotating the thumb screw 2%* in the appropriate direction. Preferably, a washer or section 310 of friction material is incorporated between the bracket 292 and the bottom 142e of the case to preclude twisting of the bracket when in installed position. This friction material preferably is cemented or otherwise permanently secured to the bracket.

In both of the foregoing forms of the invention, adjustment for the upper end of the Bowden cable is provided in order to insure against lost motion, or partial raising lof the dempers at all times. lt is to be understood that this is the preferred arrangement, but it is contemplated that adjustment could be made at the bottom end of the cable as is shown in FIG. ll. In this instance, the parts of the foot pedal structure Lieb are similar to those shown and described with regard to FIG. 8. Similar numerals are utilized to identify similar parts, with the laddition of the sutiix b. The difference is that there s provided a U-shaped bracket 3i?. on the underside of the lever 238b, the bracket being secured by means such as screws 314 .threaded throughoutwardly extending feet on the bracket and into the lever. An adjusting screw 316 is threaded through the bight of the bracket 312, and secures a hook-shaped retaining member '51S between a Ipair of nuts 32@ thereon. The hook-shaped retaining member forms a swivel connection with the ball 256b on the end of the inner or operating member of the Bowden cable 46h. An aperture is provided in the base plate 216 and rubber cover 2lb in alignment with the adjusting screw 316, as will be understood, for screwdriver adjustment of the lower end of the operating member of the Bowden cable.

A vpreferred form of pedal structure is illustrated in FIGS. l2l6. Many of the parts are similar to, or correspond to parts previously described, and accordingly similar numerals are utilized with the addition of the sulix c. Thus, the base plate 216e and heel plate- 22de remain the same, as do the cooperating rubber covers. A plurality of angle 'brackets 522 is spot welded tothe Atop of the base plate 216e, and the housing or cover 23th:, which in this instance is stamped of sheet metal, is held on top of the base plate by means of screws 3224i passing through the housing and threaded into the upstanding flanges of the brackets 322. The screws 321i .conveniently are sheet metal screws, and as will be apparent, vthe cover is readily removed from the base.

\ with a cross-pin A rather large, inverted channel or U-shaped bracket .326 is secured on the base plate 216C within the cover 236C. The bracket 326 includes a pair of sidewalls 32S interconnected by a web 33d, and having outwardly `directed ilanges 332 on the lower edges. Near the upper corners of the sidewails 32d, there is provided a pair of aligned, square apertures 331i opening to the rear edges of the walls 338 by means of restricted slots 336. The iianges 332 are spot welded to the base plate 216e to mount .the bracket along the longitudinal center line of the foot pedal structure, and relatively toward the back of the cover 230C.

The lever ZESC is supported by the bracket 326. To this end, the lever is provided at its rear or inner end which is press-fitted in the lever. he cross-pin is shifted through the slots 336 into the apertures 33t?, and plastic bearing grommets 34h are inserted into the apertures 33d, and about the pin 333 to form a bearing therefore. The plastic bearing 340l is of a type known in the art, having a round head 342, with a pair of resilient fingers forming a split shank 344 extending axially therefrom. A cylindrical bore 346 extends axially through the grommet. The Shanks 'are square in cross-section, as will be appreciated, for co` operation with the square apertures 334. The plastic grommets are of a type well-known in the art, and for example may be Shakeproof grommets.

A bracket 34S is secured to the base plate 216C relatively toward the front of the cover, and along the center line of the pedal structure. More particularly, the bracket comprises a central strip or web 35@ which is spot welded to the base plate. .At the front edge of the cover the bracket 348 extends upwardly to form a flange 352, and a reversely directed liange 354 is provided at the top of the flange 352. A felt or other resilient pad Z460 is mounted on the flange 354, and forms the lower limit stop. At the rear of the strip or web 350, there is a short vertical flange 356, having a wider horizontal flange 353 extending rearwardly therefrom and at the top thereof. The ange 35S is apertured, and a plastic spring-retaining button 360 is mounted therein. The button is similar in nature to the grommets 340, but does not need a central bore. A compression spring 362 is centered by the spring bearing button 360, and by a boss 364 on the underside of the lever 238e, and urges the lever up against the upper limit stop 246C.

A metal tab or strip 366 is welded to the web 330 of the bracket 326 on the underside thereof, and extends to the front of the cover 23Go at the top of the slot 242e therein. The felt or other resilient material 246e at .the top of this slot is cemented or otherwise suitably secured to the strip or tab 366. Substantially at the same location and on top of the web 330, there is welded an angle bracket 36d. A clamp 370 is held on this angle bracket by means such as screws 372, and serves to anchor the lower end of the sheath of the Bowden cable 46c, as will be apparent. The strip or tab 366 is provided with an aperture 374 to provide clearance for the inner or operating member of the Bowden cable, and the end of this operating member is anchored to the lever 2380 in the manner heretofore described, including the ball 256e, and the anchor plate 258C.

The form of the foot pedal structure shown in FIGS. l2l6 is preferred because all of the parts can be assembled with the cover off, it being understood that the cover is slipped part way up the Bowden cable before the cable is assembled with the parts of the foot pedal structure. Accordingly, assembly is greatly simplied, and servicing readily can be done upon removing of the cover.

The foot pedal structure shown in FIGS. 12-16 can be used in cooper-ation with the attaching mechanism of FlGS. 4-7, or with that of FIGS. 9 and l0.

ln each instance, a foot pedal structure is provided which is detachable from the portable piano, and hence does not .detract from the portability of the piano, and in acoger fact, is readily portable therewith. Provision is made for adjusting the attachment to insure that the dampers will not be held retracted -at all times, and further to insure -against lost motion, and to insure against failure of the foot pedal completely to retract the dampers.

The various examples of the invention as herein shown and described are for illustrative purposes only. It is to be understood that various changes in structure` such as might occur to those skilled in the art form a part of the invention insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the Iappended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows: l

1. In an electronic piano comprising a case, a keyboard on said case, electronic tone generating means mounted within said case and selectively controlled by the keys of said keyboard, means for controlling the decay characteristics of said tone generating means, an amplifier for amplifying the oscillations of said tone generating means, a loud-speaker for converting the amplified electrical oscillations into Iaudible musical tones, the combination comprising a foot pedal disposed remotely and movably relative -to said case, means including a flexible push-pull control of the type having a exible sheath and a flexible inner control member and quick-release fastening means connecting the tone generation decay characteristic control means and said foot pedal, and means associated with said foot pedal for varying the connecting position'of sai foot pedal to said inner control member.

2. A pedal structure for pianos and the like comprising a base plate, a housing on said `base plate, said housing having an opening therein, a pedal pivotally mounted in said housing and extending out of said housing through said opening, a push-pull control of the type having a flexible outer sheath and a flexible inner operating member, means anchoring said iiexible outer sheath relative to said housing and means connecting the exible operating member to said pedal, and a heel plate extending from said base plate substantially in the same direction as said pedal, whereby a player may rest his heel on said heel plate to anchor said pedal structure against movement when said pedal is depressed by the players foot.

3. A pedal structure as set forth in claim 2 and further including a bracket on said base plate, said pedal being pivotally mounted on said bracket.

4. A pedal structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein the pedal is pivotally supported from said housing.

5. A pedal structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein the opening in Vthe housing comprises a slot, and resilient stop means lat opposite ends of said housing engageable.

with said pedal to limit upward and downward pivotal movement.

6. A pedal structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein said heel plate is pivotally and detachably secured to said base plate by ya split hinge.

7. In a portable piano comprising a case, a keyboard on said case, tone generating means mounted within said casey and selectively controlled by the keys of said keyboard, means in said case and operatively connected to the tone generating means for controlling the decay characteristics of said tone generating means, the combination comprising a foot pedal structure disposed remotely and movably relative to said case including a housing and a pedal, means including a push-pull control of the type having a flexible sheath and a flexible inner control member connecting the tone generation decay characteristic control means and said foot pedal, means providing a quick-detachable connection between said push-pull control and said case and tone generation decay characteristic control means, and means associated with said push-pull control for eiecting adjustment of the position of said foot pedal relative to said tone generation decay characteristic control means. Y

8. The combination set forth in claim 7 and further including a plurality of anchors at opposite ends of said 10 push-pull control, said anchors respectively anchoring said sheath relative to said piano case and relative to said foot pedal housing, and anchoring said inner control member relative to said foot pedal and relative to said tone generation decay characteristic control means, wherein the means for effecting initial adjustment comprises stud-andslot means for adjusting the positionof one of` said anchors.

9. In a portable piano comprising a case, a keyboard on said case, ltone generating means mounted within said case and selectively controlled by the keys of said keyboard, means for controlling the decay characteristics of said tone ygenerating means, a connector operatively connected to said tone generation decay characteristiccontrol means for operating the same, said connector being accessible through a wallof said case and said wall being suitably apertured therefor, the combination comprising a foot pedal structure remote from said case and movable relative thereto including a support and a movably" mounted pedal, a push-pull control of the-type having a flexible vsheath and a iiexible inner control member oonnected at one end respectively to said support and to said foot pedal and at Ithe other end respectively to a tting `detachably connectable to saidpiano case, and to a second connector-detachably connectable to said first mentioned y connector. s l

10. The combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein the fitting comprises an angle member securable to said case, andv an -anchor member secured to the sheath of said push-pull control and adjustably carried by said angle member. s

11. In a portable piano comprising fa case, ra keyboard on said case, tone generating means mounted in said case and selectively controlled by the keys of said keyboard, means for controlling the decay characteristics of said tone generating means, a rotary member operatively connected to saidy decay characteristic control means and accessible through a wall of said case, said case having an aperture therein adjacent said control means, the combination comprising a rotary rconnector adapted to extend through said aperture and detachably connectible to said rotary member, a lever on said rotary connector for rotating the same, a fitting associated with said rotary connector and detachably connectable to said case, a foot pedal structure disposed remotely and movably relative to said case and comprising a support and a foot pedal, and a push-pull control of the type having a exible sheath and a iiexible inner control member, said flexible inner control member being connected at its opposite ends to said foot pedal and to said lever, and said flexible sheath being connected at its opposite ends to said support and to said fittings.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 11 and further including an anchor member adjustably mounted on said fitting and secured to said sheath.

13. A pedal structure for pianos and the like comprising a base plate, an inverted, substantially U-shaped bracket secured to said base plate, a pedal pivotally mounted on said bracket and extending generally in the same directionas said base plate, a push-pull control of the type having a exible sheath and a exible inner control member, means connecting said exible inner control member to said pedal, means securing said flexible sheath to said bracket, and a housing secured to said base plate and enclosing said bracket and securing means and a part of said pedal, said housing having an opening through which a toe portion of said pedal extends.

14. A pedal structure as set forth in claim 13 and further includinga member secured to said base plate and having raised end portions, one of said raised end portions being adjacent the opening in said housing and forming a stop for said pedal, and the other of said raised portions forming a spring abutment, and further including a spr-ing compressed between the pedal and said n amat-1a 1:1 spring, abutment and, urgingv said pedal in a given di.- rection. l

1,5..v In a, portable piano comprising a case, a keyboard on said case, tone generating means mounted within said case and selectively controlled by the keys of said keyboard, means in said case operatively connected to said tone generating means for controlling the decay chararactenistics of said tone generating means, the combination comprising a foot pedal structure disposed remotely and movably relative to said case and comprising a base plate, a housing on said base plate, said housing havingy an opening therein, a peripherally unobstructed pedal pivotally mounted in said housing and extending out of said housing through said opening, a push-pull control of the type having ilexible outer sheath and a flexible inner operating member, means anchoring said outer sheathrelative to said housing and means connecting the operating member to said pedal, a substantially jat heel plate extend-ing from said base plate substantially in the same direction as said pedal in spaced relation therebelow, whereby a player may rest his 'neel on said heel plate to anchor said pedal structure against movement When said pedal is depressed by the players foot, quick release means connecting the push-pull control to said decay characteristic controlling means and means associated with said push-pull control for effecting adjustment of the position of said foot pedal relative to said tone generation decay characteristics control means.

16. In a portable piano comprising a case, a keyboard on said case, tone generating means mounted within said case and selectively controlled by the keys of said keyboard, means in said case operatively conected to said tone `generatingmeans for controlling the decay characteristics of said tone generating means, the combination comprisingv a subtsantially flat pedal base plate disposed remotely and moya-bly relative to said case, an inverted, substantially Ushaped bracket secured to said pedal base plate, a pedal pivotally mounted on said bracket and extending generally in the same direction as said base plate, a push pull control of the type `having a flexible sheath and a ilexible inner control member, means connecting said flexible inner control member to said pedal and to said tone generation decay chanacteristic control means, means securing said flexible sheath to said bracket and to said case, the connecting means to said control means and to said case being quickly detachable connecting means, and a housing secured to said base plate and enclosing said bracket and securing means and a part of said pedal, said housing having an opening through which a toc portion of said pedal extends.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

